Musical Direction for Musical Theatre

Bachelor of Music in Music Direction for Musical Theatre

The Bachelor of Music in Music Direction for Musical Theatre is a pre-professional
degree, designed for students who wish to pursue a career as a professional music
director for musical theatre. Extensive applied instruction and classes on technique,
coaching, and musical theatre performance styles, as well as ensemble experience,
constitute the core of the curriculum.

To our knowledge, Webster University is the first university in the country to offer
this specialized pre-professional training as an undergraduate program. The program
is unique: building on the strength of many faculty members, and on partnerships with
the Repertory Theatre of Saint Louis (resident on this campus), the Muny (a major, national-profile summer theatre in Forest Park), and the year-round artists
of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (also resident on this campus) in providing this specialized degree within an academic
and performance context. Further strengthening this degree are musical direction opportunities
that exist within the larger Saint Louis musical theatre community, including a half
dozen semi-professional companies that produce musical theatre at a very high level.
Saint Louis is very much a theatre town!

Students in this program take all the core music courses of any music degree. You'll
study vocal pedagogy and diction; serve as assistant music director of three different
musicals before music-directing your own show in the senior year; take courses in
conducting, musical theatre scoring, acting, and musical theatre history; and study
some dance as well. The finale is your own engagement as musical director of a show,
just the same way that performance majors present a senior recital.

Program director for this degree is Dr. Jeffrey Carter, Chair of the Department of Music, who was named Outstanding Musical Director in
2014 by the Saint Louis Theatre Critics Circle, for his work on New Line Theatre's
Bonnie and Clyde in its first post-Broadway production.

If you plan to major or minor in music you must complete an audition as part of your
application to Webster. Students in this degree should possess noteworthy piano skills as you start college. Check out our audition requirements and submit your application today.

Department of Music News

" Webster is a rarity among schools. So few schools have the academic strength, performance opportunities, and the heart that I found at my time at Webster. I gained a family while getting some of the best training here."

- Liz Bivens, BM Vocal Performance '11

"My four years at Webster can be summarized by the incredible amount of guidance and support that I received from the Department of Music faculty. I never felt lost in a class or concerned about my future because there were so many wonderful people encouraging me."

- Hannah Ingram, BA '11

"Vienna was key in understanding many artistic viewpoints. Whether it be Vienna or anywhere else in Europe, the study-abroad experience will stick with you."

"Going to Vienna was the best decision I have ever made. It changed my life. I discovered so much about myself, and realized that music is not just my passion, but a necessity."

- Emma Sorenson, BM Vocal Performance '13

"My time at Webster University was spent building a strong foundation on which my career has been built. The extraordinary faculty possesses the knowledge, skills, and wisdom necessary to inspire young artists and provide them with opportunities for growth. Through their guidance, I not only fortified my musical skills, but was encouraged to think creatively, take risks, and strive for the best possible outcome with every endeavor."

"My education at Webster University has gone above and beyond my expectations. Before transferring to Webster, I was part of music departments at two different universities. The professors, courses, and ensemble opportunities offered at Webster have helped make me a better musician than I believe I would have been with my prior education. The one-on-one input I've experienced with the professors in the Jazz Studies area has prepared me to not only continue my music career with the goals I set prior to graduating, but has has forced me to make higher goals, exceeding my own personal expectations."

"The unique relationship I formed with my professors at Webster is something that I will never forget. They pushed me, encouraged me, and helped me to become the artist I am today. I am so glad I made the decision to go to Webster University."

- Lola Hennicke, BA '13

"I wouldn't have lasted at a larger school. The relationships and bonds I formed at Webster helped me be successful."

- Tim Walther,BM '14

"The faculty are personable -- they are there for my good and well-being. And each faculty member has their own flavor they add to the program."

- Domenic Mendoza,BA '14

"After going to Vienna, I feel like I know more about what is happening globally. Webster is all about creating global citizens, and studying abroad helped me to learn what it is to truly be a global citizen. "